Dorothy B. Hughes wrote suspenseful crime novels. You find in her books an exploration of the psychology of fear and paranoia, particularly in women’s lives.
If you like authors with a similar ability to build suspense and create complex characters in dangerous situations, this article is for you. It will introduce you to some writers you might enjoy.
Patricia Highsmith is known for creating suspenseful stories with morally complex characters.
One of her best-known novels, “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” introduces Tom Ripley, a young man who becomes entangled in a web of lies and crime after being sent to Europe to retrieve a wealthy acquaintance.
The story shows how far Tom will go to reinvent himself, presenting a character who is both charming and unsettling. Highsmith’s ability to draw readers into Tom’s world makes her books a standout for those who enjoy Dorothy B. Hughes’ work.
Raymond Chandler is a master of crime fiction, known for his sharp dialogue and atmospheric settings. In his book “The Big Sleep,” private detective Philip Marlowe takes on a case involving the wealthy Sternwood family.
What starts as a simple task to deal with a blackmailer soon uncovers corruption, deceit, and murder. The story is full of twists and dangerous characters, all set against the gritty backdrop of 1930s Los Angeles.
Fans of Dorothy B. Hughes will appreciate the moody atmosphere and morally complex characters Chandler creates.
James M. Cain was a master of hard-boiled stories, often set in a world heavy with tension and deceit. One of his best-known works, “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” tells the story of a drifter who gets caught up with a married woman in a dangerous affair.
They plot to get rid of her husband, but the plan sets off a series of events they can’t control. Cain’s writing is tense and direct, capturing characters driven by raw motives and fatal decisions.
Dashiell Hammett was a master of detective fiction, known for his sharp prose and tough characters. One of his standout works is “The Maltese Falcon.”
In it, private detective Sam Spade gets caught in a web of deceit and murder after a mysterious woman hires him to track down a priceless statuette.
The story pulls you into a world of greed and betrayal, with unforgettable characters like the charming yet dangerous Joel Cairo and the cunning Brigid O’Shaughnessy. Hammett’s writing keeps things direct, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps the pages turning.
If you enjoy Dorothy B. Hughes, you might enjoy Hammett’s hard-edged take on noir stories.
Margaret Millar was a master of psychological suspense, known for weaving intricate characters and unexpected twists into her stories.
In her novel “Beast in View,” she introduces Helen Clarvoe, a reclusive woman who begins receiving unsettling phone calls from a mysterious stranger. As the story unfolds, layers of deception and secrets unravel, drawing the reader toward an ending that lingers.
Millar’s ability to craft tense, character-driven mysteries makes her a great choice for fans of Dorothy B. Hughes.
Ross Macdonald was a master of crafting detective stories, particularly through his series featuring private investigator Lew Archer.
In “The Chill,” Archer is hired to track down a missing woman, but the case takes an unexpected turn when he uncovers a trail of past crimes and buried secrets. The story weaves together a puzzling mix of family drama and murder.
As Archer digs deeper, he begins to piece together how the choices of the past still haunt the present. Macdonald’s ability to bring California’s settings and characters to life makes this book hard to set aside.
Ruth Rendell wrote crime stories that focus on psychology and human flaws. One of her books, “A Judgement in Stone,” tells the story of a housekeeper, Eunice, who becomes entangled with the family she works for in the most unsettling way.
Eunice’s inability to read plays a central role in the events, leading to tragic consequences. Rendell creates tension through the small details of everyday life, making her books absorbing for readers who enjoy intricate, character-driven mysteries.
Laura Lippman writes clever crime fiction with strong characters and sharp plots. Her book, “Sunburn,” is about two strangers, Polly and Adam, who meet in a small Delaware town. Polly is on the run, while Adam seems to have his own reasons for being there.
As they start a relationship, secrets unravel, revealing motives that might not be what they seem. The story has a tense, atmospheric feel that will remind fans of Dorothy B. Hughes of how danger can lurk beneath ordinary lives.
Jim Thompson wrote sharp, dark stories about flawed and desperate characters. His novel “The Killer Inside Me” dives into the mind of Lou Ford, a small-town deputy sheriff. Lou seems mild-mannered, polite, and dull, but beneath that surface is something far more sinister.
As his true nature comes to light, the tension thickens. Thompson creates a chilling perspective that catches you off guard and pulls you deeper into the mental unraveling of his protagonist.
Fans of Dorothy B. Hughes might find his knack for psychological twists and morally complex figures intriguing.
Elizabeth Sanxay Holding was a crime writer known for her tightly written psychological mysteries. One of her standout novels is “The Blank Wall.”
It tells the story of Lucia Holley, a suburban housewife who finds herself in over her head after her family becomes connected to a murder. As she tries to shield her daughter from scandal, she ends up clashing with dangerous characters and putting herself at unexpected risk.
The book pulls you into the tension of her everyday life torn apart by secrets and fear, drawing a sharp contrast between her quiet existence and the chaos unfolding around her.
Cornell Woolrich was a master of suspense and noir fiction, known for writing stories packed with tension and unexpected twists. One of his standout works is “The Black Curtain.”
The story begins when a man survives an accident and realizes he doesn’t remember the last few years of his life. As he starts piecing things together, he discovers that someone might be after him for reasons he can’t yet understand.
Woolrich’s sharp storytelling and eerie atmosphere create a sense of danger at every turn. Fans of Dorothy B. Hughes will appreciate the taut pacing and shadowy mood Woolrich weaves into his narratives.
Tana French writes rich, character-driven mysteries with plenty of atmosphere. One of her standout books is “In the Woods,” which kicks off the Dublin Murder Squad series. The story follows Detective Rob Ryan, who is assigned to investigate a young girl’s murder in a small town.
The case forces him to confront a childhood trauma—years earlier, he was found in the same woods where his two closest friends disappeared without a trace.
The book layers the present-day investigation with the mystery of Rob’s past, weaving together the secrets of the town and the people living there.
Ellery Queen is both the name of a fictional detective and the pseudonym for a duo of writers known for their clever mystery novels. Their books are known for puzzles that challenge the reader.
In “The Greek Coffin Mystery,” Ellery investigates the aftermath of an art dealer’s death, which reveals suspicious wills and a missing masterpiece. The story twists as Ellery uncovers a web of secrets, moving toward an unexpected solution.
Fans of Dorothy B. Hughes might enjoy the focus on sharp observation and the satisfying unraveling of mysteries.
Josephine Tey was a Scottish author known for her unique approach to mystery writing. One of her most famous books, “The Daughter of Time,” follows Inspector Alan Grant as he investigates the historical case of King Richard III and the murder of the Princes in the Tower.
Confined to a hospital bed, Grant becomes intrigued by a portrait of Richard and starts questioning the long-accepted version of events.
The story weaves historical research into Grant’s journey, as he tries to figure out whether Richard was truly the villain history has painted him to be. The mix of detective work and historical mystery makes the story fascinating for readers who love thoughtful puzzles.
Sarah Waters writes stories that explore human relationships, often set in historical periods with richly drawn settings. One of her novels, “The Little Stranger,” is a gothic tale of a crumbling estate in post-war England.
The story follows Dr. Faraday, who becomes deeply entangled with the Ayres family, owners of the house. Strange occurrences and a sense of unease build as the family’s history unravels, leaving you unsure of what’s real or imagined.
Fans of atmospheric and suspenseful narratives might find her work a perfect fit.